SMOKY SATURDAY: What’s ahead in West Seattle, plus your photos – UPDATED

(Friday sunset photo by Crystal C.)

The air-quality alert remains in effect – with wildfire smoke still lingering, “unhealthy to locally hazardous air quality conditions will persist into Saturday,” warns the National Weather Service. We have a few reminders for today, starting with what’s being affected by the smoke.

(Looking toward downtown from Jack Block Park – photo by David Hutchinson)

Seattle city parks, playfields, boat ramps, beaches, and golf courses are all closed through the weekend, as announced Friday. Also, Seattle Public Library curbside service is canceled again today – if you had an appointment, it’ll be rescheduled.

(6:15 pm Friday from Alki Avenue – photo by John Saalwaechter)

You’re advised to stay indoors as much as you can. But if you choose to go out, two local small businesses are having anniversary sales today:

(6:30 pm from Fauntlee Hills – photo by Michael Burke)

PAPER BOAT BOOKSELLERS: Celebrating anniversary #1; today, 10 percent off your book purchase. (6040 California SW)

(10:21 am update – SGS is closing today because of the smoke and will extend the sale into the week depending on whether they’re open or closed tomorrow) SECOND GEAR SPORTS: Celebrating anniversary #7 with a sale through Monday. (6529 California SW)

(Luna/Anchor Park area – photo by Jan Pendergrass)

Looking for entertainment?

LIVE THEATER TONIGHT: As previewed here earlier this week, “Everyone Wants to Love Your Beating Heart,” directed by West Seattleite Kelly McMahon,is live online at 7 pm – get your ticket here.

(From Sunset Avenue – photo by Greg Snyder)

SUNRISE/SUNSET TIMES: Today, 6:43 am and 7:26 pm.

(Photo by Chris Frankovich)

ADDED 10:21 AM: The Vietnamese Cultural Center is closed today because of the smoke.

ADDED 2:53 PM: As noted by a commenter, West Seattle Nursery is also closed today.

Flivver September 12, 2020 (6:51 am)

If you’re out in your car make sure it’s set on resirc and not outside air.

Dani September 12, 2020 (7:05 am)

4:30 in the afternoon yesterday

Pat B September 12, 2020 (8:08 am)

Yesterday evening above. Below is a few days prior to give an idea of changes..

Andrea Saunders September 12, 2020 (8:23 am)

Normally , you’d see the seattle skyline.

Sunflower September 12, 2020 (8:40 am)

Hopefully when people look outside this morning, more will better understand the park closures.

Not hearing much from the usual morning songbirds. Feel so bad for wildlife stuck out in this. Hang in there!

Randy September 12, 2020 (9:53 am)

This reminds me of the book of Revelation. I am wrong. I will read this book after seeing this.

Just wondering September 12, 2020 (2:58 pm)

?
- Lance September 12, 2020 (6:08 pm)
  
  Reading the last book of the bible, Revelation, reveals the “end of age” prophecy- sun will be blood red. There are more amazing facts found as well that will help reveal the tribulation soon coming.
  - Lance September 12, 2020 (10:47 pm)
    
    Correction: The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and terrible day of the Lord,” – Joel 2:31
Smokey the Wolverine September 12, 2020 (7:27 pm)

Everything reminds you folks of things from that book.

just wondering September 12, 2020 (10:39 am)

I’m thinking this is what it looked like during the dust storms of the 1930’s. Only the dust bowl was worse.

Elton September 12, 2020 (11:25 am)

The West Seattle Nursery is closed today, too. We were there about an hour ago and they were starting to shutter for the day due to the smoke.

Joseph September 12, 2020 (11:57 am)

We’re at 220 on the Air Quality Index, which is in the very unhealthy range. Bend, Oregon and Eugene, Oregon are in the 500s of the AQI scale, which is 200+ over hazardous. We’re way better off.

Monica September 12, 2020 (12:09 pm)

Alki around 11 am

anonyme September 12, 2020 (12:10 pm)

Sunflower, I feel bad for the wildlife as well. This morning I put on an N-95 and went out and filled multiple water containers and freshened the birdbath. All have been full of birds all morning, some washing themselves repeatedly.

Sunflower September 12, 2020 (3:00 pm)

This is good to hear. Thank you for helping these birds. :)

Smoky in WSea September 12, 2020 (12:32 pm)

Cloudy day vs Smoky day

KH September 12, 2020 (1:31 pm)

Normally our view is of the Seattle skyline and Terminal 5. Taken at 7:30am on 9/12.

Mellow Kitty September 12, 2020 (3:56 pm)

@California and Hanford looking West. You can usually see the mountains. Photo taken 9/12/2020 around 11 am.

Duke Manyon September 12, 2020 (4:14 pm)

Smokin Marlboros for all them years has finally paid off. My lungs are toughened up enough to where this is no big deal to me.

Jim September 12, 2020 (4:36 pm)

It’s soooo thick, can’t see seahurst from the Arroyos.

Just saying September 12, 2020 (6:02 pm)

Does anyone know if the farmers market will be open tomorrow?

WSB September 12, 2020 (6:47 pm)

Yes, it will. They’ve already made a statement:
https://twitter.com/SeattleFarmMkts/status/1304569206352932865

Michelle September 12, 2020 (7:14 pm)

Walgreens is closed too, not sure why.

WSB September 12, 2020 (7:37 pm)

It closed yesterday. Reason not given.

Sunflower September 12, 2020 (8:02 pm)

Anyone else’s lungs hurting?

This sucks.

WSB September 12, 2020 (9:10 pm)

A Twitter conversation reminded me that I dreamed about smoking last night/this morning … not an uncommon thing for ex-smokers but seldom happens given that I quit decades ago. Has to have been the air!
- Sunflower September 12, 2020 (10:30 pm)
  
  :) oh totally!
  
  I’m hoping to dream about rain tonight.
CAM September 12, 2020 (9:35 pm)

Yep. And headaches and congestion and coughing when I get into a prolonged conversation. And that’s coming from someone who has diligently avoided the outdoor air as much as possible all week.
- Sunflower September 13, 2020 (7:22 am)
  
  Ugh, thanks for sharing CAM. Take care, and hydrate. Hopefully we’ll have cleaner air tomorrow, and a new appreciation for the air we breathe every day.
Mellow Kitty September 13, 2020 (10:23 am)

I was telling my husband last night that I feel like I have sandpaper in my lungs.
- Sunflower September 13, 2020 (2:32 pm)
  
  Ouch, hope that clears out for you soon.
  
  Is it just me or does it seem like some of the smoke is starting to lift this afternoon? Wishful thinking?
  
  Come on rain.

Mj September 12, 2020 (8:10 pm)

Covid, smoke, closed bridge. Damn I wish this was a April 1st prank.

S September 12, 2020 (11:46 pm)

My daughter is looking on the bright side. She hopes this will help COVID rates go down since so many more people are staying home.

Sunflower September 13, 2020 (7:16 am)

Smart girl :) yes, let’s hope.

norsegirl September 13, 2020 (1:14 pm)

Hmmm. I am doubting my search abilities using the web. I’m looking to see if there is a burn ban (restricting burning in indoor fireplaces that are not primary sources for heat) in effect Sunday 9/13 afternoon. I get to this page https://pscleanair.gov/168/Current-Status and am amazed to find NO ban in King County! Am I misreading or misunderstanding? help anyone? Thanks.

WSB September 13, 2020 (1:45 pm)

The King County Fire Marshal called a burn ban some time back but it does not cover indoor fires.
https://kingcounty.gov/depts/local-services/news/2020/20200908-stage-2-burn-ban.aspx
- norsegirl September 13, 2020 (4:27 pm)
  
  Thanks WSB. I had been surprised to see smoke coming from my neighbor’s chimney. I discovered he had lit a fire in his indoor fireplace. I assumed there must be a burn ban given the visibly poor air quality and the Air Quality Alert. Amazing there wasn’t a ban.

Sorry, comment time is over.